WO2016034579A1

WO2016034579A1 - Container for viscous liquid comprising a cap provided with a tap

Info

Publication number: WO2016034579A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/069943
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yannick LEMARCHAND
Original assignee: Total Marketing Services
Priority date: 2014-09-03
Filing date: 2015-09-01
Publication date: 2016-03-10
Also published as: FR3025186B1; US20170283135A1; EP3188980A1; FR3025186A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) comprising: an upper wall (2), a lower wall (4) and a side wall (6) defining an inner space (8), a single opening (12) extending along a main axis (A), a cap (18) comprising a flow duct (20) provided with an outlet (22) extending along an axis (S) substantially perpendicular to the main axis (A), and a pipe (44) comprising a first end (46) in fluid communication with the outlet (22) and a second end (48) intended for extending above the level of the liquid in the container, the pipe being rotatably secured with the cap and extending essentially along a tilted axis (T) forming an angle (α) of 25° to 75° with the main axis (A) and having a length no less than half the length of the container.

Description

Viscous liquid container comprising a stopper with a tap

The present invention relates to a container of the type intended to contain a liquid having a viscosity greater than 20 cSt, said container comprising:

an upper wall, a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending between the upper wall and the lower wall, said walls delimiting an internal volume of the container,

a single orifice extending in said upper wall along a main axis,

a cap screwed onto said upper wall so as to close the orifice, said cap comprising a flow line in fluid communication with the internal volume and provided with an outlet extending along an axis substantially perpendicular to the main axis; said pipe comprising a liquid flow channel and an air passage channel opening into said outlet,

a pipe extending in the internal volume and comprising a first end in fluid communication with the outlet and a second end intended to extend above the level of the liquid in the receptacle, the pipe being rotatably connected with the stopper .

The present invention also relates to a method of using such a container.

The container according to the invention is particularly suitable for storing oil or other viscous liquids.

The emptying of such a container containing such a viscous liquid is problematic because the viscosity of the liquid makes this operation particularly long, especially when the container is almost empty. Indeed, as and when the emptying, a depression is created inside the container and the flow of liquid out of the container decreases as the container empties.

To overcome this drawback, it has been proposed to add an air supply above the level of the liquid in the container in order to place the internal volume of the container not occupied by the liquid at atmospheric pressure. Document EP-1 378 485 describes, for example, the addition of a flexible hose extending into the internal volume of the container and being provided with a float making it possible to keep the free end of the hose above the level of the liquid . The hose is connected to a valve secured to a plug closing the port of the container.

Such a device is however not satisfactory for several reasons. The device comprises several elements that should be assembled together and pass through the opening of the container to introduce them into the internal volume, which can be inconvenient and increases the time required for setting up the device. In addition, the float can degrade in the container and its material pollute the liquid in the container especially when the container stores the liquid for a long time.

In addition, when the cap is screwed on the opening of the container, the hose and the float can form a "ball" during the rotation of the cap and thus prevent a satisfactory deployment of the pipe in the container, the free end is not above the level of the liquid. If the device is poorly assembled and the float disengages from the pipe, the free end of the pipe is also no longer above the level of the liquid, thus preventing satisfactory operation of the device.

One of the aims of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages described above by providing a container for rapid emptying while being easy to use and reliable.

To this end, the invention relates to a container of the aforementioned type, wherein the pipe extends substantially along an inclined axis forming an angle substantially between 25 ° and 75 ° with the main axis and having a length greater than or equal to half the length of the container measured along the main axis.

By using a pipe extending along an axis inclined with respect to the axis of the opening and providing a sufficient length of pipe, the container according to the invention makes it possible to guarantee that the free end of the pipe is always at above the level of the liquid without requiring the use of a float. In addition, by providing that the angle formed between the axis of the pipe and the axis of the opening is not too great, it is ensured that the pipe will not be blocked by the side wall of the container during screwing of the cap on the container. Thus, the installation of the pipe is done without obstacle and automatically when screwing the cap on the container. Thus, the container according to the invention is simple and reliable in use and allows rapid emptying even with high viscosity liquids.

According to other characteristics of the container according to the invention:

the hose has a length greater than or equal to 75% of the length of the container measured along the main axis;

the container comprises a separation wall extending in the flow line, said partition wall sealingly separating the flow channel from the liquid and the air passage channel;

the container comprises a closure element for the flow line, said element being movable between an open position, in which the outlet is in fluid communication with the internal volume, and a closed position, wherein the output is isolated from the internal volume;

the closure element comprises an outer wall provided with a liquid-passing orifice and an air-passing orifice, said external wall closing the flow duct in the closed position of the shut-off element and said openings; passageways being disposed opposite respectively the liquid flow channel and the air passage channel in the open position of the closure member;

the outer wall is rotatable about the axis of the outlet between the closed position and the open position so as to move the openings for the passage of the liquid and the air outside or opposite the flow channel of the liquid and air passage channel;

the pipe is substantially rigid;

the pipe comprises a downstream section extending substantially rectilinear along the main axis and an upstream section extending substantially rectilinearly along the inclined axis, said pipe comprising a bend between the downstream section and the upstream section, said elbow forming a an angle substantially between 25 ° and 75 ° between the inclined axis and the main axis;

- The pipe is formed in two parts, one of the parts being fitted on the other part.

The invention also relates to a method of using a container as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

filling the container with a liquid having a viscosity greater than 20 cSt through the opening, the container being in a raised position, in which the main axis of the opening extends substantially vertically,

- closing the container by means of a cap screwed on the upper wall, the angle formed by the pipe with the main axis being such that the cap can be screwed without blocking the pipe against the side wall of the container,

- tilting the container from the raised position to a lying position, in which the main axis of the opening extends substantially horizontally, so that liquid can flow through the flow line while air is brought above the level of the liquid in the container by the pipe.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation in section of a container according to the invention, in a supine position, the closure element being in the open position, FIG. 2 is an enlargement of zone II of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the closure member of the cap of the container of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional representation of the container of FIG. 1 in the raised position, said container being closed by a conventional plug.

In the description, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are defined with respect to the direction of the liquid flowing out of the container. The terms "lower" and "upper" are defined relative to the axis of the container when it is in its raised position, shown in FIG. 4.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 4, there is described a container 1 comprising an upper wall 2, a bottom wall 4 and at least one side wall 6 connecting the upper and lower walls 2 4 so as to delimit an internal volume 8 extending between the upper walls 2 , lower 4 and lateral 6.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the internal volume 8 is substantially parallelepipedal and the container 1 comprises four side walls 6 delimiting the internal volume 8. Thus, the container shown is of the "jerrycan" type. However, it is understood that the internal volume 8 could have any other shape. By way of example, the side wall 6 could be a cylinder of revolution so as to form a container in the form of a can or barrel. Advantageously, the bottom wall 4 is shaped so that the container 1 can rest stably on the bottom wall 4 when the container 1 is in a raised position, as shown in FIG. 4. Also advantageously, at least one side wall 6 is also shaped so that the container 1 can rest stably on this side wall 6 when the container is in a lying position, shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The container 1 can be of any desired capacity, for example the internal volume 8 can be from 5 L or less to 40 L or more depending on the desired use. According to a particular example, the internal volume 8 is substantially equal to 20 L.

In known manner, the walls may be shaped so that the container 1 comprises a handle 10 or other gripping means and / or information on the source, the content, the volume of the container 1 and / or a logo for example.

The upper wall 2 comprises an opening 12 for filling and emptying the internal volume 8. For this purpose, the opening 12 is the single opening of the container placing the internal volume 8 in fluid communication with the outside of the container 1. The opening 12 extends along a main axis A substantially perpendicular to the upper wall 2 and substantially parallel to the axis of the container 1. The main axis A extends substantially vertically when the container is in its raised position, as shown in FIG. 4, and substantially horizontally, or downwardly inclined, when the container 1 is in its lying position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

According to one embodiment, the opening 12 is located in the vicinity of the or one of the side walls 6. More particularly, the opening 12 is located in the vicinity of the side wall 6 shaped so that the container can rest on it. lying position.

The opening 12 is delimited by a neck 14 projecting from the upper wall 2 along the main axis A towards the outside of the container 1. The neck 14 has for example a cylinder shape of revolution extending along and around the main axis A. The neck 14 is provided on its outer face with a thread 16 arranged to receive a plug 18 by screwing.

The plug 18 is interchangeable and has a different shape and function depending on the use of the container 1.

When the container 1 is stored or transported while it is filled, the plug 18 may be a conventional plug arranged to close the opening 12 hermetically, as shown in FIG. 4.

When the container 1 is to be emptied in several times and controlling the quantity and the flow rate of the liquid taken from the container, the cap 18 comprises a flow line 20 allowing the liquid to flow out of the container through an outlet 22 provided at the end of the flow line 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The flow line 20 thus makes it possible to place the internal volume 8 in fluid communication with the outside of the container 1 through the stopper 18.

The outlet 22 extends along an axis S substantially perpendicular to the main axis A, so that the axis S extends substantially vertically when the container 1 is in the supine position, which allows the liquid to flow through the exit 22 thanks to gravity.

The flow line 20 comprises an upstream section 24, of tubular shape and extending through the plug 18 along the main axis A so as to open into the internal volume 8, and a downstream section 26, of tubular shape and extending between the upstream section 24 and the outlet 22 along the axis S outside the internal volume 8.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a closure element 28 extends in the downstream section 26 and cuts the fluid communication between the internal volume 8 and the outlet 22. The closure element 28 is formed by an outer wall 30 extending against the inner wall of the downstream section 26 and having a shape substantially complementary to this inner wall. The outer wall 30 thus has a hollow tube shape defining an inner pipe 31 extending in the pipe 20. As shown in FIG. 3, a liquid passage opening 32 passes through a portion of the outer wall 30 so as to allow communication between the outside of the outer wall 30 and the inner pipe 31 through the orifice 32. shutter 28 is rotatable about the axis S in the downstream section 26 between a closed position, in which the outer wall 30 extends opposite the upstream section 24 so as to close the flow line 20 and interrupt the fluid communication between the internal volume 8 and the outlet 22, and an open position, in which the liquid passage opening 32 is placed opposite the upstream section 24 so as to allow the flow of the liquid in the flow line 20 and placing the internal volume 8 in fluid communication with the outlet 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The rotation between the open position and the closed position is for example controlled by a gripping member 34 operable by a user.

The closure member 28 further comprises an inner wall 36 separating the inner pipe 31 into two parts isolated from each other. One of these parts forms a portion of a liquid flow channel 38 of the flow line 20 and the other forms a portion of an air channel 40 of the flow line 20. The liquid passage opening 32 extends on the side of the inner wall 36 defining the portion of the liquid flow channel 38.

The outer wall 30 further comprises an air passage opening 42 extending through the outer wall 30 on the side of the inner wall 36 defining the portion of the air passage channel 40. The passage of the air 42 is arranged opposite the passage opening of the liquid 32 so that when the closure member 28 is in the open position, the air passage channel 40 is also opposite the upstream section 24, as the liquid passage opening 32. Thus, the air passage hole 42 and the liquid passage opening 32 extend on either side of the inner wall 36. one facing the other as shown in FIG. 3. According to the embodiment shown in this figure, the air passage opening 42 has an elongate oblong shape of a length greater than the length of the liquid passage opening 32 according to the circumference of the wall. external 30. Thus, the air passage orifice 42 is opposite the upstream section 24 over a larger range of rotation of the closure member 28 than the liquid passage opening 32.

A pipe 44 extends into the internal volume 8 of the container between a first end 46, or downstream end, and a second end 48, or upstream end. The first end 46 of the pipe 44 is fixed in an orifice passing through the downstream section 26 of the flow line 20 so as to open into the downstream section 26 opposite the air passage orifice 42 of the element shutter 28. The pipe 44 is integral in rotation with the plug 18. This means that the rotation of the plug 18 around the main axis A causes the rotation of the pipe 44 around the main axis A. This is obtained for example by fixing the the first end 46 in a hole through the downstream section 26 of the flow line 20 of the plug 18. Thus, when the plug is being screwed or unscrewed, the pipe is rotated by the plug.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pipe comprises a downstream section 50 extending from the first end in the upstream section 24 of the flow line 20. The downstream section 50 of the pipe 44 extends parallel to the main axis A. up to a bend 52 of the pipe 44 extending into the internal volume 8. The pipe 44 then comprises an upstream section 54 extending from the bend 52 to the second end 48.

The upstream section 54 of the pipe extends along an inclined axis T forming an angle α substantially between 25 ° and 75 ° with the main axis A. The angle a is measured between the part of the axis of the downstream section 50 pipe 44 extending upstream of the bend 50 and the axis T of the upstream section 54, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. According to another embodiment, the pipe 44 extends entirely along the inclined axis T forming the angle α with the main axis A. According to one embodiment, the angle α is between and 60 ° and is for example close to 45 °.

The total length of the pipe 44 between its first and second ends 46,

48 is greater than or equal to half the length of the container measured along the main axis A, that is to say, half the length of the side wall 6. According to one embodiment, the total length of the pipe 44 is greater than or equal to 75% of the length of the container measured along the main axis A. The greater part of the total length of the pipe 44 is formed by the upstream section 54 of the pipe 44, that is to say the portion extending along the inclined axis T. Thus, the pipe 44 extends substantially, or totally, along the inclined axis T.

The pipe 44 is made of a substantially rigid material, while having a certain elasticity. By these characteristics, it is meant that the pipe 44 retains its shape extending essentially along the inclined axis T without the need for a support element outside the pipe 44 and that it is able to recover this shape when a stress, such as that a support exerted on him is released. For example, the pipe 44 is made of thermoplastic polymer, such as polyamide, for example Rilsan®.

The set of characteristics of the pipe described above cause the second end 48 of the pipe to extend above the level of the liquid in the container 1, as will be described later in connection with the method of use of the container. . The pipe 44 may be made in two separate parts 56, 58, one of which is fitted on the other. The first part 56 is for example fixed permanently on the plug 18 and comprises for example the downstream section 50 and the elbow 52 and the second part 58, fitted on the first part, comprises the upstream section 54. Thus the same plug 18 can be used with different containers, for example of different capacities, while the second part 56 is changed, for example to change its length depending on the capacity of the container 1.

The first portion 56 is then rotatably connected to the plug 18 and the second portion 28 is integral in rotation with the first portion 56. Thus, the entire pipe 44 is rotationally integral with the plug 18.

The pipe 44 forms the remainder of the air channel 40, while the portion of the upstream section 24 of the flow line 20 outside the pipe 44 forms the remainder of the liquid flow channel 38. The channel The air passage 40 is thus completely isolated from the liquid flow channel 38.

The assembly formed by the flow line 20 and the closure member 28 thus forms a valve for controlling the flow of liquid flowing from the container 1 through the stopper 18.

The method of using the container 1 described above will now be described.

The container 1 is first filled with a liquid. The container is more particularly adapted to contain a viscous liquid. By viscous means a liquid having a kinematic viscosity greater than 20 cSt, that is to say greater than 20 mm ² .s ^-1 at room temperature.The viscosity of the liquid is for example less than 1700 cSt, c ' that is, less than 1700 mm ² .s ^-1 at room temperature. Such a viscosity range covers, for example, oils of different vehicle grades, such as engine and transmission lubricants. The kinematic viscosity at ambient temperature of the viscous liquid can for example be measured according to the method described in the ISO-3104 standard entitled "Petroleum products - Opaque and transparent liquids - Determination of the kinematic viscosity and calculation of the dynamic viscosity".

The container 1 is filled while it is in the raised position and that it is devoid of cap 18, which allows a rapid filling of the container. In known manner, the filling is carried out so as to leave a head volume 60 devoid of liquid, that is to say that the internal volume 8 is not completely filled, for easier handling of the filled container 1.

The container is then always closed in its raised position by means of a conventional plug as shown in FIG. 4. The container can thus be transported, for example by its handle 10, and stored in raised position or supine position without risk of leakage of liquid through the neck 14.

When the contents of the container are to be used in a controlled quantity and repeatedly, that is to say when the container is not emptied at one time which can be done simply by removing the cap, the container 1 is placed in the raised position and the conventional plug is replaced by a plug 18 provided with a valve, as described above.

To do this, when the container 1 is in the raised position, the conventional cap is removed by unscrewing the neck 14. The cap 18 provided with the valve is then positioned on the neck 14. It is understood that if the pipe 44 is in two parts 56, 58, these parts are first assembled. For the introduction of the plug 18, the complete pipe 44 is first introduced into the internal volume 8 until the plug 18 comes into contact with the neck 14.

The plug 18 is then screwed onto the neck 14, which causes a rotation of the pipe 44 inside the internal volume. Due to the angle a, not exceeding 75 °, the rotation of the pipe 44 can be done without interference with the side wall or walls 6, that is to say without the pipe 44 comes into contact with or the side walls during screwing of the cap 18. It is possible however that the pipe 44 comes into contact with one of the side walls 6 during screwing, including the wall 6 closest to the neck 14. In this case , the elasticity of the pipe 44 and the maximum value of the angle a that this contact does not cause a blockage of the pipe 44 against the wall 6 and that the pipe can continue to turn after this contact. Thus, the pipe 44 does not prevent the cap 18 from screwing onto the neck 14. In addition, because of its rigidity, the pipe 44 does not form a ball during the screwing of the plug 18, that is to say to say that it retains its essentially rectilinear shape along the inclined axis T.

When the cap 18 is completely screwed onto the neck 14, the container 1 is tilted from its raised position to its supine position, while the closure member is in its closed position.

The plug 18 and the neck 14 are arranged such that, when the cap 18 is completely screwed onto the neck 14 and the container is in its extended position, the downstream section 26 and therefore the outlet 22 of the tap are oriented vertically towards the bottom to allow a flow of liquid by gravity. Similarly, the pipe 44 is fixed to the plug 18 so that, when the plug 18 is completely screwed onto the neck 14 and the container is in its extended position, the second end 48 of the pipe 44 extends in the vicinity of the side wall 6 or the side wall portion disposed opposite the side wall 6 or the side wall portion on which rests the container in the extended position. Thus, because of the liquid-free head volume, the second end 48 of the pipe 44 emerges from the liquid and extends above the liquid level in the container in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 1.

It should be noted that the viscosity of the liquid and the small diameter of the pipe, for example of the order of 3 mm to 6 mm for the internal diameter of the pipe, prevent the penetration of the liquid inside the pipe 44 during screwing plug 18 and when tilting the container from its raised position to its extended position.

When a quantity of liquid is to be withdrawn from the container, for example when a part of the liquid contained in the container has to be transferred to a container of smaller capacity, the closure element 28 is moved to its open position when the container of smaller capacity is placed under the exit 22.

When the liquid passage orifice 32 is opposite the upstream section 24, the liquid begins to flow through the liquid flow channel 38 and flows through the outlet 22. At the same time, the first end 46 of the pipe 44 is opposite the air passage orifice 42 and the air can circulate in the air passage channel 40. Thus, air from outside passes into the volume extending above the level of the liquid in the container, which places this volume at atmospheric pressure and accelerates the emptying of the liquid, as known per se.

The fact that the length of the air passage orifice 42 is greater than that of the liquid passage opening 32 allows air to circulate in the air passage channel 40, whatever the section of the liquid passage opening 32 opposite the upstream section 24. Thus, the flow of the liquid can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the section of the liquid passage opening 32 opposite the upstream section 24 while maintaining the function of supplying air inside the container 1.

The container described above thus makes it possible to accelerate the emptying of a container 1 containing a viscous liquid while being robust and easy to use because of the characteristics of the pipe 44.

The same plug 18 can be used with different containers of different capacities simply by replacing the portion 58 of the pipe 44 to adapt its length to the capacity of the container.

The invention has been described with a cap comprising a valve, however it is understood that the invention could be applied to a cap comprising simply a flow line without shutter element and whose emptying would begin by simply switching the container from the raised position to the extended position and stop by returning the container to the raised position.

Claims

1. - Container (1) for containing a liquid having a viscosity greater than 20 cSt, said container comprising:

an upper wall (2), a bottom wall (4) and at least one side wall

(6) extending between the upper wall (2) and the lower wall (4), said walls (2, 4, 6) delimiting an internal volume (8) of the container,

a single orifice (12) extending in said upper wall (2) along a main axis (A),

a plug (18) screwed onto said upper wall (2) so as to close the orifice

(12), said plug (18) comprising a flow line (20) in fluid communication with the internal volume (8) and provided with an outlet (22) extending along an axis (S) substantially perpendicular to the main axis (A), said pipe (20) comprising a liquid flow channel (38) and an air passage channel (40) opening into said outlet (22),

a pipe (44) extending into the inner volume (8) and having a first end (46) in fluid communication with the outlet (22) and a second end (48) for extending above the level liquid in the container, the pipe (44) being integral in rotation with the plug (18),

characterized in that the pipe (44) extends substantially along an inclined axis

(T) forming an angle (a) substantially between 25 ° and 75 ° with the main axis (A) and having a length greater than or equal to half the length of the container measured along the main axis (A).

2. - The container of claim 1, wherein the pipe (44) has a length greater than or equal to 75% of the length of the container measured along the main axis (A).

3. - A container according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a partition wall (36) extending in the flow line (20), said partition wall (36) sealingly separating the flow channel of the liquid (38) and the air passage channel (40).

4. - Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a closure member (28) of the flow line (20), said member (28) being movable between an open position, wherein the outlet (22) is in fluid communication with the internal volume (8), and a closed position, in which the outlet (22) is isolated from the internal volume (8).

The container of claim 4, wherein the closure member (28) comprises an outer wall (30) having a liquid passage (32) and an air passage (42). ), said outer wall (30) closing the flow line (20) in the closed position of the closure member (28) and said passage openings (32, 42) being arranged opposite respectively the liquid flow channel (38) and the air passage channel (40) in the open position of the closure member (28).

6. - The container of claim 5, wherein the outer wall (30) is rotatable about the axis (S) of the outlet (22) between the closed position and the open position so as to move the openings of passage of the liquid (32) and the air (42) out of or opposite the liquid flow channel (38) and the air passage channel (40).

7. - Container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pipe (44) is substantially rigid.

8. - A container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pipe (44) comprises a downstream section (50) extending substantially rectilinear along the main axis (A) and an upstream section (54) s extending substantially rectilinearly along the inclined axis (T), said pipe (44) including an elbow (52) between the downstream section (50) and the upstream section (54), said elbow (52) forming an angle (a) substantially between 25 ° and 75 ° between the inclined axis (T) and the main axis (A).

9. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pipe (44) is formed in two parts (56, 58), one of the parts (58) being fitted on the other part (56). ).

10. A method of using a container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the following steps:

- filling the container (1) with a liquid having a viscosity greater than 20 cSt through the opening (12), the container (1) being in a raised position, in which the main axis (A) of the opening (12) extends substantially vertically,

- closing the container (1) by means of a plug (18) screwed on the upper wall (2), which causes the rotation of the pipe (44), the angle (a) formed by the pipe (44) with the main axis (A) being such that the plug (18) can be screwed without locking the pipe (44) against the side wall (6) of the container (1),

- tilting the container (1) from the raised position to a lying position, in which the main axis (A) of the opening (12) extends substantially horizontally, so that the liquid can flow through the pipe flow (20) while air is brought above the level of the liquid in the container (1) by the pipe (44).